RTB AND USI LAUNCH INFORMATION GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

September 22, 2017

58% of students spending up to €500 a month on rent

RTB and USI launch information guide for students

Monday, 14 August 2017: New research from the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) finds 58% of students are spending between €256 and €500 a month on rent, while 36% of students have no income to cover the monthly costs associated with their accommodation. USI and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) are today launching the 2017 Finance and Accommodation Guide to help students know their rights as tenants, and to budget for the year ahead.

The Finance and Accommodation Guide details the rights students have as tenants, and it is particularly useful for students who are renting for the first time. The guide notes the need to ensure you have a record of all payments, including rent, either electronically via bank transfer or within a rent book provided by your landlord. There is a rent book also available within the guide.

While there is no legal obligation for a landlord to provide a written lease agreement to a tenant, a written agreement as to the terms of the tenancy including all parties rights and responsibilities is encouraged to capture detail which are not covered by the law such as are pets permitted, if the tenancy is for a fixed term and if so how long, or who is responsible for maintaining the garden, can pictures be hung etc. Irrespective of whether a written lease agreement is in place, both landlords and tenants still have rights and responsibilities set out in the legislation. Both parties (landlords and tenants) are encouraged to understand and discuss those rights and responsibilities so that it is clear from the outset and to reduce the possibility of a dispute arising subsequently.

The guide also provides information on finance, and gives budgeting tips for students to financially manage the college year.

“USI is excited to be launching the 2017 Finance and Accommodation guide with the RTB” Michael Kerrigan, USI President, said. “The Finance and Accommodation Guide is every student’s go-to resource while living in rented accommodation. USI want to ensure students coming to college for the first time know their rights as tenants, and can budget for the year. The average cost of college is €12,500, and USI research shows 58% of students are spending between €256 and €500 for accommodation a month. The cost of accommodation is proving difficult for students and the cost of rent is leaving no money for food, travel or books. This guide will help students budget for the year ahead, and keep track of their spending to meet the costly demands of studying.”

The RTB and USI are advising students not to hand over money until they receive the keys, and the tenancy begins. In light of recent rental scams, USI is also urging students to transfer deposit money electronically, or if they have to pay by cash to make sure they always get a receipt.

Students are encouraged to check if any potential landlord is or was registered with the RTB on their “published register” available at www.rtb.ie as good landlords tend to abide by the law.

Launching the Guide, RTB Director Rosalind Carroll said, “This is a valuable guide for all students, especially first-years. It is important that students renting accommodation are aware of their rights and responsibilities and that they openly discuss them with their landlord so that everyone is clear from the start what is expected which should prevent disputes arising. The majority of disputes that come to the RTB involve landlords or tenants who simply did not understand their rights and responsibilities. The RTB believe open, continuous and respectful communication is key to a positive tenancy. Tenants should be aware of and use the services of the Residential Tenancies Board if a dispute arises.

The guide provides lots of helpful information on finding rented accommodation, viewing and moving into properties, and ending tenancies. All tenants and prospective tenants are also urged to go to our website, www.rtb.ie which provides extensive information for both tenants and landlords, including information on our disputes resolution service. For further information, call the RTB on 0818 30 30 37 or 01 702 8100.”

Ms Carroll said that the RTB has also published a guide to security deposits in order to provide clarity on this frequently debated area. Both tenants and landlords should read this guide before initiating a tenancy to avoid any problems over the course of a tenancy.

The RTB Rent Index provides the most accurate data on actual rents in areas around Ireland. Websites like Daft.ie are useful for renting, while Students’ Union Facebook groups or free websites like homes.usi.ie for digs are useful sources to find accommodation.

Contact for further comment:

USI President - Michael Kerrigan

Mob: (087) 691 1515

E-mail: president@usi.ie

For more information and access to case studies, please contact:

USI Public Relations Executive - Daniel Waugh

Mob: (087) 665 1044 | (01) 905 2100

E-mail: dan.waugh@usi.ie | Website: www.usi.ie

Notes:

FURTHER CASE STUDIES OF STUDENTS LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Full copy of the guide can be found here: http://usi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/USI-and-RTB-Finance-and-Accommodation-Guide-2017.pdf

USI is the national representative body for the 354,000 students in third level education on the Island of Ireland. USI works to improve and protect the lives of students every day on academic and social issues through campaigns, training and research.

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is a State body set up to support and develop a well-functioning rental housing sector. Its remit is the private rental sector and Approved Housing Bodies. Its functions are (i) to regulate the rental sector; (ii) provide information to inform policy; (iii) maintain a national register of tenancies; (iv) resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, and (v) provide information to the public.

Since its establishment in 2004, the RTB has replaced the courts in dealing with the majority of disputes between landlords and tenants. Its Dispute Resolution Service offers a choice to parties – mediation or adjudication.

USI report on student housing had 3,447 valid responses from students all over Ireland collected over 4 weeks in February 2017. Full report is unpublished.